The inclinator doors slid open just as I reached them, revealing my brother about to step out.
“I was just coming to talk to you,” Tivek said, his expression serious.
I stepped inside, grateful for the timing. “Perfect. We need to?—”
The inclinator began its descent as pink light pulsed along the walls and soft instrumental music filled the space. The familiar routine should have been soothing, but tension coiled in my shoulders as I thought about everything we still didn’t know.
My brother pivoted to me. “You didn’t come to the officers’ lounge last night.”
I put a hand to my forehead, suddenly remembering the invitation I’d completely forgotten. “I got distracted.” I hesitated, then decided honesty was probably the best policy with my brother. He was a Shadow, after all, so he probably knew anyway. “I was with Sasha.”
Tivek’s gaze roamed my face, his expression giving away nothing. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Probably not,” I admitted.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m no expert on relationships, but it doesn’t look to me like you’re faking anything anymore.”
My gut twisted because he was absolutely right. As much as I hated to admit it, my feelings for Sasha had become completely real, and I was in far deeper than I’d ever intended to be.
I shook off the uncomfortable realization. “I can’t think about that right now. I promised to help her.”
“About that.” Tivek’s tone shifted. “I learned some very interesting things last night.”
“Tell me. Did you figure out who is responsible?”
He frowned. “Nothing confirmed, but I spoke to Admiral Zoran privately after the reception. Drexian High Command was only following a request from Earth and many Drexians disagreed with the decision, namely High Commander Dorn and his brother Kax. They’re the ones who helped the admiral cover the tracks of the unauthorized rescue.”
Relief and pride surged through me. Whatever conspiracy had abandoned Sasha, at least my people hadn’t been the architects of it. The Drexians had been reluctant participants at best, and some had actively worked to undermine the order.
“There’s more,” Tivek continued as the inclinator came to a stop. “There’s considerable tension between the Earth military leaders and the Drexian leadership.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
Tivek pressed the control panel of the inclinator to prevent the doors from opening. “Do you know that Earth’s chancellor is an inexperienced civilian who parrots talking points about necessary sacrifice and the greater good?”
I searched my memory, recalling a human among the delegation not in military uniform. “You think he ordered the rescue mission to stand down? Why?”
“From observing him, it’s clear he’s easily manipulated. He’s never served or fought in a single battle.” Tivek shook his head. “You should have seen his soft hands and unnaturally dark hair. He’s a performer, not a leader.”
I scowled at this. A Drexian who had never fought, never sacrificed, never bled for his people would never have risen to the ranks of leader. “But why do such a cowardly thing as abandoning a pilot?”
“I doubt he decided on his own. I suspect he’d been told what to do by cleverer men than he.” Tivek released a heavy breath. “I watched the human officers around him. They placate him and humor him, but they also easily manipulate him. If he gave the order, he did it because someone else wanted him to.”
“So even if he’s the guilty party, he isn’t the only one responsible.”
“Exactly.” Tivek released the control panel, and the doors slid open, revealing the Promenade.
Despite the early morning hour, the area was already bustling with activity. Even more people than usual crowded the cobblestone walk, and I suspected most were here for the wedding.
Before I could step out, Tivek grabbed my arm. “One more thing, Dek. Sasha’s father isn’t pleased about this wedding.”
I gave a dark chuckle. “That is not new information, brother.”
“I mean, he isn’t pleased about the positive publicity it’s generating for human-Drexian cooperation. The general is not a fan of Drexians, and he doesn’t believe Earth should be allied with us. I suspect he’s part of the growing xenophobic movement on Earth.”
“You mean the lunatics who’d rather face the Kronock on their own?” I gave my head a rough shake. “I suppose they believe they would have survived for all these decades without us shielding their technologically inferior planet?”
Tivek shrugged. “They are smaller than we are and weaker than we are. I think some of their males cannot bear this or the fact that their women are lining up in droves to be tribute brides.”
